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Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach

General view of pharynx and esophagus

Image #82-2

KEYWORDS: Esophagus, Fascia and connective tissue, Peripheral nervous system, Pharynx, Throat, Vasculature, Overview.

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Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach
General view of pharynx and esophagus
The remainder of the cervical spine and the first thoracic vertebrae have been removed. The prevertebral muscles on the right have been partially resected. The prevertebral and buccopharyngeal fascia remain to the right of the midline. The left internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, hypoglossal and accessory nerves have been cut away from the central areas of the dissection. The left vagus nerve has been retracted laterally. The left pharyngeal plexus has been preserved.
  1. Upper pointer: Pharyngobasilar fascia Lower pointer: Pharyngeal tonsil (exposed by partial resection of above fascia)
  2. Internal carotid artery (cut off)
  3. Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
  4. Styloid process temporal bone
  5. Nodose ganglion of vagus nerve (retracted laterally)
  6. Pharyngeal branch vagus nerve
  7. Superior laryngeal nerve
  8. Superior cervical ganglion
  9. Superior horn thyroid cartilage
  10. Upper pointer: Internal carotid artery (cut off) Lower pointer: Internal jugular vein (cut off)
  11. Superior cardiac branch vagus nerve (joined by superior cardiac nerve from sympathetic trunk)
  12. Sympathetic trunk
  13. Left lobe of thyroid gland
  14. Upper pointer: Sphenoid sinus (opened) Lower pointer: Body sphenoid bone (cut across)
  15. Occipital condyle
  16. Upper pointer: Pharyngobasilar fascia Lower pointer: Superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle
  17. Longus capitis muscle (cut across)
  18. Middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle
  19. Prevertebral fascia
  20. Inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle
  21. Cervical part of esophagus
  22. Upper pointer: Brachial plexus (cervical nerve VIII) Lower pointer: Articular surface superior thoracic vertebrae II